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Xiao observed the carefully crafted shelf that hung in The Traveler’s room while he was waiting for Aether to finish up talking with his other guests. Running his hand across the smooth surface as he heard The traveler conversing from the other room. Standing around this room felt a lot more awkward than Xiao would normally feel, in The travelers pocket realm the voices Xiao heard seemed to calm down which left one with nothing to focus on while he waited, the quiet was welcome but weird. Calming yet unnerving at the same time… had silence alway been so loud? Xiao could hardly remember a time when he wasn't focused on his karmic debt or voices whispering to him of great violence. Yet Aether had somehow found a way to quiet it. Xiao was very much in debt to him.
Xiao could hear Aether approaching the room, his muffled footsteps sounding louder as he went. Something about the pattern was off somehow, as if Aether was stopping every few steps. Is he having another migraine? He thought, whenever Aether had a migraine he would have trouble with his surroundings, often slowing down or tripping over objects that littered the ground. Yet that stubborn boy would often refuse help, only calling Xiaos name if his small companion forced him to. Lost in thought he found himself staring at the door as it creaked open. He caught a glimpse of bright blonde hair first, his eyes following it up to the owner's face, whose smile shined just as bright. The Traveler closed the door carefully and sluggishly walked over to his bed, warm smile fading as he groaned. Xiao walked over to him quietly.
Xiao spoke, his voice raspy and unused as he sat by the blonde's side. “Aether, are you feeling alright?” he could feel the boy shift as his hand went up to his head, rubbing the spot between his eyebrows.
“Should be..alright. It's not that bad don't worry..i'll send Paimon to get medicine if it gets any worse.” he smiled weakly at Xiao, golden eyes piercing into his as his arms wrapped around the adepti’s waist, pulling him into a soft hug. Xiao’s body tensed at first not used to such things but slowly he let himself hug him back, arms wrapping around and resting on his back. Xiao always found these mortal hugs more of a trivial form of affection, they made him feel trapped. One could easily be hurt if they let their guard down like that. But, if it was Aether..he didn't seem to mind. The blonde pulled Xiao down onto the pillows with him, shifting as he buried his head into Xiao’s cold touch.
“You should get some rest” Xiao muttered as he combed his hands through Aethers hair. He felt him nodding against his skin as Xiao drifted into thought. He soaked up the peace and tranquility, just him and Aether, he could feel the boy breathing softly against him and in the peace and stillness he could hear his heart beating. The smooth touch of skin against his, the fluffy golden hair wrapped around his fingers. It was unusual, yet welcomed all the same.
Throughout the night, xiao was often interrupted by Aethers constant tossing and turning, almost smacking xiao at points. Some point around the middle of the night Aether sits up and groans loudly into his hands, causing the adepti to turn towards him.
“What troubles you?” he inquired, sitting up as The Traveler leaned into his chest, hands still on his face. He could feel The Traveler's quiet sobs, he found his hand reaching for his chin, he tilted the boy's face up to look at him. His eyes were wet with tears and his breathing was heavy. Xiao wiped a stray tear from his face and repeated his previous question.
“What troubles thou?” Aether giggled a little, although Xiao didn't know why, it was a relief to see him smile either way.
“I'm sorry, I was just frustrated. I haven't been able to sleep well, but my body and mind are so tired.” The boy grabbed the adepti’s hand and rubbed it against his cheek, leaning into the cold touch.
“Your hands are cold,” he murmured, “it feels nice.”
“Is it your head that pains you?” he felt heat rise to his cheeks, staring into the blonds eyes. Xiao always felt so bad when he couldn’t help others. It was his duty to protect Liyue.. But some things just couldn't be helped. He saw Aether nod, still leaning against the cold touch of his hand.
“I.. think i know something that could help” he replied softly, unsure if it would really help. But it was worth a try, he hated seeing Aether in pain.
“Can- can i kiss you first?” The Traveler asked, voice still groggy from sleep and crying.
Xiao paused, he didn’t think he had ever heard that word before. He rolled it over in his head, trying to find any connection. It seemed familiar..maybe he was also tired and simply forgot the word? Or it was a recently made word, he was more than a thousand years old afterall and never really caught up on the “modern language”.
He heard Aether call for him “Xiao?” he whispered, his hands now cupping Xiao’s cheeks.
“My apologies, Aether…I don’t think i’ve ever heard that word before” he averted his gaze, embarrassed as Aether let out a laugh, it wasn’t a rude laugh yet Xiao still felt himself blush.
“We’ve done it before silly, would you like me to refresh your memory!” his smile spread, staring at Xiao in a way that made his face turn hot. Xiao nodded hesitantly as Aether leaned closer to him, closing his eyes and pressing his lips against Xiao’s. he tasted like salt and sweet dreams. Xiao wrapped his arms around his neck, leaning into Aether’s ‘kiss’.
“So that’s what it’s called..” Xiao muttered when he pulled away. Aether smiled but rubbed his forehead groaning.
“Here” the Yaksha pulled him back down into their bed, and covered him with a blanket. Xiao put his hand on Aether’s forehead and let his thumbs massage around his temples. The Traveler hummed and turned to look at Xiao, who had started to brush his thumbs along the travelers eyebrows. It was weirdly soothing.
“Where did you learn this?” he mused, watching Xiao slip into thought as he always did before answering questions, as if picking the best option.
Xiao thought back to his siblings, the other yaksha’s would often meet up and sooth the ones if they were badly hurt during battle. Bonanus would often massage the others as she combed through their hair. How Rex Lapis and Guizhong used to force him to relax when he was injured, pulling him into an uncomfortable, and frankly unwelcome, hug to postpone his jump back into battle.
“I’m not exactly sure…I think maybe Rex Lapis was the first to introduce it..”
ending